2006 Cinema Rex

Galaxy Quest: (widescreen)

(widescreen) PG—1999—102 mindir. Dean Parisot w/Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
Rex is pretty picky about sci-fi comedies, and this is certainly one of the best. This film manages to poke fun at and do homage to original Star Trek, it’s cast, it’s fan base and conventions all at the same time. More fun than you can shake an Omega 13 Device at.

Forbidden Planet: (widescreen)

NR—1956—98 min.dir. Fred M. Wilcox w/Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Robbie the Robot
It took awhile for MGM, Hollywood’s most prestigious studio, to jump on the sci-fi bandwagon of the 50’s, but when they did they delivered a film that would become a classic among classics. Catch up on your Shakespeare while taking in the film that introduced the ever recognizable Robbie The Robot. Rex has been itching to show this movie for years.

Sky High: (widescreen)

PG—2005—100 min.dir. Mike Mitchell w/Kurt Russell and some other people
What was Kurt Russell thinking when he released a super hero film right during Convergence’s super hero themed convention? When you come to this feature just pretend it was last year!

Trailer Park

See what the future holds as Rex dishes out trailers for hot upcoming releases, as well as some locally produced independent shorts.

Solaris: (widescreen)

PG—2002—99 min.dir. Steven Soderbergh w/George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Davies
Something is disturbingly wrong on Solaris space station and a psychologist is sent in alone to find out what it is all about. This remake of the famous Russian film is photographed splendidly while being thoughtfully produced and scripted. Shorter than its predecessor, this film conveys the original film’s concepts without being mind numbingly slow and obfuscated.

Alien: (director’s cut—widescreen)

R—1979—116 min. dir. Ridley Scott w/Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt
Though not a huge commercial success, this film was perhaps the most anticipated geek event of 2005. Rex knows most of you saw it, but he also knows all of you Firefly fans want to watch it againÖ and again. Browncoats unite!

Serenity: (widescreen)

PG-13—2005—119 min. dir. Joss Whedon w/Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau
Though not a huge commercial success, this film was perhaps the most anticipated geek event of 2005. Rex knows most of you saw it, but he also knows all of you Firefly fans want to watch it again… and again. Browncoats unite!

Zathura: (widescreen)

PG—2005—101 min.dir. Jon Favreau w/Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson, Dax Shepard, Tim Robbins
It’s been referred to as ìJumanji in space,î but don’t let that keep you away. Directed by the writer/star of ìSwingersî (yes, Swingers!) this inventive film is fun for geeks of all ages.

Battlestar Galactica: (theatrical release—widescreen)

PG—1978—125 min.dir. Richard A. Colla w/Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene
Rex just loves the new Battlestar Galactica TV series. In fact, if he didn’t have a rule against showing TV shows in Cinema Rex, it would probably be a BSG weekend. But this rule won’t stop him from showing the original BSG movie (theatrical release). We know some of you have never seen it and some of you might not remember it so come check out the source material that inspired one of the best sci-fi TV series in years.

Marooned: (widescreen)

G—1969—134 min.dir. John Sturges w/Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, James Franciscus, Gene Hackman
After seeing this film you may think it was inspired by the Apollo 13 disaster. But actually this movie was released four months prior to the crisis in a bizarre prophetic coincidence. Despite the MST3K lampooning of an edited down version of this film, Marooned is an excellent choice for this year’s convention.

Star Wreck: In The Pirkinning: (widescreen)

NR—2005—103 min.dir. Timo Vuorensola w/a bunch of other foreigners
It sounds like the setup to a bad joke: what do you get when you make a Star Trek-Babylon 5 crossover parody fan film in Finland? But it’s for real: this feature length movie not only has wonderful production values, it’s just darn funny. This is one of Rex’s featured fan films. If you only see one film in Cinema Rex this year, this should be it!

Reign Of The Fallen: (widescreen)

NR—2005—55 min.dir. David McLeavy w/David McLeavy, Jason Updike, Kevin Walsh
This is our featured Star Wars fan film, clocking in at just under an hour. Most Star Wars fan films tend to be parodies but this is a film that takes itself seriously and pulls it off. The cinematography is pretty to look at and the production values are top notch.

Contact: (widescreen)

NR—1997—150 min.dir. Robert Zemeckis w/Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt
From Carl Sagan’s book, this thoughtful film stretches the boundaries of space travel and exploration. Sharp direction and stellar acting make this a treat to watch.

Star Wars/Star Trek Fan Film Fest

With this year’s theme Rex just had to treat Convergence attendees to a smorgasbord of Star Wars and Star Trek fan films. Come join us for an hour of strange, interesting, weird, bad, funny, and absurd fan films.

Midnight: World Premiere Preview

(widescreen) NR—2006w/commentary by Christian Petersen, Tod Gelle, and Crist Ballas
Come and take a sneak peak at this locally produced fantasy film set in the dark RPG world of Midnight. Afterward hear comments from the makers of this film currently under production. SPECIAL BONUS: Fantasy Flight Games will be giving away 50 copies of the Midnight campaign setting core book.

Robot Bastard!

NR—2002—15 min.dir. Rob Schrab
Remember when you were a robot agent sent into space to retrieve the president’s daughter from a kidnapping? No? Then come check out this delightful 15 minute short to see what happened when you did!

Lifeforce: (European cut—widescreen)

PG-13—1985-116 min.dir. Tobe Hooper w/Steve Railsback, Peter Firth, Patrick Stewart
Space exploration, vampires, Patrick Stewart, and Henry Mancini, what more can anyone ask for? Rex has often wondered how this gem slipped past most geek radars. It’s wonderful to see a script full of intelligent characters making intelligent decisions played by outstanding British actors. This European cut has is 15 minutes longer than the US theatrical release.

The Fifth Element: (widescreen)

Starship Exeter: The Tressaurian Intersection

NR—2005—50 min.w/commentary by Josh Johnson, Gordon Smuder, David Weiberg.
This straight-up homage to the original Star Trek series gets so many things right, down to the look of the sets, lighting, and directing style. You’ll be amazed at how much this looks and feels like the real thing. SPECIAL BONUS: In addition to the feature, we’ll be showing a making-of short and have 3 people who were involved in the production here in Rex to tell you about their work on the project.

Capricorn One: (widescreen)

PG—1978—123 min.dir. Peter Hyams w/Elliot Gould, James Brolin, Sam Waterston, Hal Holbrook, Telly Savalas, O.J. Simpson
You’ve heard the conspiracy theories: the moon landings were all a big hoax. This fictional film plays off of that concept, centering on a mission to Mars. And the all-star cast includes everyone’s favorite acquitted killer: The Juice!